Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III will attack the Steelers defense in one of three high-profile games involving NFC East teams Sunday. BILL KOSTROUN, AP

THREE AND OUT

Three things to watch for in today's games:

1. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

Parity is alive and well in today's NFL, where 18 of 32 teams are .500 or within a game of .500. Not surprisingly, the games themselves have been close. Entering this week, 62 games had been decided by eight or fewer points and 57 by seven or fewer – both the most through the first seven weeks in league history. Expect the trend to continue.

2. BIG EAST

The spotlight daytime games all involve NFC East teams, with their high-profile quarterbacks playing leading roles. Washington's rookie sensation, Robert Griffin III, gets his first look at Pittsburgh's zone-blitzing defense. Philadelphia's Michael Vick faces his former team, Atlanta, which just so happens to be the NFL's lone remaining unbeaten squad. And Eli Manning and Tony Romo square off in Giants-Cowboys II. Round 1, in Week 1, went to Dallas. NYG has lost only once since.

3. THINK PINK

The NFL is taking its tribute to Breast Cancer Awareness Month to the next level, courtesy of an 11-year-old boy. Dante Cano of Marlboro, N.J., suggested in a letter to Commissioner Roger Goodell that that league use pink penalty flags in a game. Not only did he take Cano's suggestion, Goodell invited the boy and his family to MetLife Stadium, where they will present the flags to the officials before the Dolphins-Jets game.

BY THE NUMBERS

ROLLING A 300

New Orleans QB Drew Brees needs one touchdown pass Sunday night to reach 300 for his career. If he does it, he'll have reached that mark in 161 games, tying for the third fewest in NFL history. Here's a look at the fastest to 300:

Injury impact: Cutler was a full participant in practice by Thursday, so the bruised ribs he suffered Monday night shouldn't be a significant impediment.

Fantasy tip: Reports out of Carolina suggest Jonathan Stewart will become the featured tailback, or something close to it. Not a great matchup this week, but he's worth stashing if available.

Lev's look: Cam Newton is under fire for his sullen postgame news conferences after heartbreaking Panthers defeats (4 of 5 losses by 6 or fewer points). He'll get more practice after another this week against the vulnerable but still superior Bears.

Injury impact: It appears Richardson will play. How much remains to be seen. Check the morning actives/inactives just in case.

Fantasy tip: Two of the worst pass defenses in the NFL, two receivers to consider if you're in a pinch: San Diego's Malcom Floyd (10 catches of 20-plus yards) and Cleveland's Josh Gordon (league-best 23.8 ypc).

Lev's look: Is this a must-win for the Chargers? It sure feels that way after back-to-back second-half collapses. If they don't play with a tangible sense of urgency, it doesn't bode well for Norv Turner's future.

Injury impact: In addition to Levy, the Lions will be without two regulars in the secondary. Bad news for them, good news for Russell Wilson.

Fantasy tip: With Detroit's Nate Burleson out for the season, Titus Young becomes a viable WR option – assuming Matthew Stafford recovers some semblance of his 2011 form.

Lev's look: The season is slipping away from the disappointing Lions, and the frisky Seahawks aren't the ideal save-the-season foe. Playing on short rest against a team that had the weekend off isn't ideal either. But Seattle isn't the same away from home (1-3), so there's hope.

Injury impact: Hernandez hasn't been quite right since returning. This usually translates to more targets for Wes Welker.

Fantasy tip: This seems like a bad matchup for Patriots RB Stevan Ridley, who has slumped the past two weeks after a promising start. I say it's too early to give up on him, especially if the game goes the way I think it will.

Lev's look: Are the Patriots serious Super Bowl contenders? They haven't played like it so far. But Aaron Rodgers carved up the Rams' pass defense, and Tom Brady is more than capable of doing the same.

Injury impact: Landry practiced fully Friday after sitting out Thursday, so the Jets' second-leading tackler should be good to go.

Fantasy tip: After barely playing the first six weeks, Jets TE Dustin Keller is healthy and worthy of starting consideration. Last week he had seven catches – on seven targets – for 93 yards and a TD.

Lev's look: Lots of talk between these teams this week, an absolutely shocking development considering that one is coached by Rex Ryan. But the Jets' actions last week – going toe to toe with the Patriots – spoke louder.

Injury impact: The Eagles' O-line has been on shuffle mode all season long. With Watkins likely out, fifth-round rookie Dennis Kelly makes his first career start.

Fantasy tip: People seem to be down on Philly's DeSean Jackson. Yes, he has only one TD. But he also leads the team in catches (29), targets (53) and receiving yards (465).

Lev's look: The Falcons are good. They might be the best team in the league. But are they 16-0 or 15-1 good? No. They're bound to stumble somewhere along the way. Speaking of perfect records, Andy Reid is 13-0 after bye weeks.

Injury impact: Mendenhall's absence means another start for Jonathan Dwyer, who had a career-best 122 yards last week.

Fantasy tip: Injuries to Fred Davis and Pierre Garcon have created opportunities for others in Washington. The best bet? Second-year WR Leonard Hankerson, who has been targeted a team-high 33 times.

Lev's look: Robert Griffin III keeps the Redskins in games; all but one has been decided by one score. Washington's league-worst pass defense (328.4 ypg) prevents it from winning them. Same story here against another QB who excels at keeping plays alive.

Injury impact: It appears Gabbert will start. When Chad Henne's the alternative, I guess that qualifies as good news.

Fantasy tip: Rashad Jennings, the replacement for injured Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew, isn't a great play this week. Odds are, Jacksonville will fall behind and be forced to throw. But with four teams on bye and injuries ravaging the RB ranks, you could do worse.

Lev's look: The biggest point spread on the board, and for good reason. Really good team + great QB vs. bad team + shaky QB situation = blowout.

Injury impact: Roos' streak of 119 consecutive starts comes to an end. His replacement? Mike Otto, an '07 seventh-rounder. Expect him to get help.

Fantasy tip: Everywhere you look, fantasy experts are advocating selling high on Chris Johnson after his long-awaited breakout last week. My take: He's an elite RB, and there aren't many of those around these days.

Lev's look: The Colts are 3-1 at home, 0-2 on the road (by an average score of 38-15). The Titans aren't a great team, but they're better in the short run with Matt Hasselback at quarterback.

Fantasy tip: If you're looking for a defense, you might consider Kansas City's. KC's D has underachieved this year, but the talent is there. Carson Palmer has turned the ball over four times over the past two weeks.

Lev's look: If they don't win Sunday, the Chiefs are staring at a potential six-game losing streak and 1-8 start. Brady Quinn isn't the long-term answer at QB, but he at least could be a short-term spark.

Injury impact: Bradshaw returned to practice Friday, but only on a limited basis. Definite potential for a time share with Andre Brown.

Fantasy tip: Erratic Cowboys QB Tony Romo has been surprisingly consistent against the Giants. He has a passer rating of 121.3 in his past five vs. NYG, topping 100 each time. Career: 26 TD passes in 11 games.

Lev's look: It seems like a bad idea to go against NYG on the road, especially when the host is banged-up and in-turmoil Dallas. So why do I see a Cowboys "upset" here?

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